Outer surface of a container

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an outer surface of a container having a lid and a receptacle. The outer surface includes one or more substantially non-deformable recesses. The recesses are adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an outer surface of a container suitable fortransportation of a number of items. The invention relates to an outersurface of, particularly but not necessarily exclusively, a lid for anice cooler particularly for use in outdoor events or activities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers with insulated walls, generally referred to as ice boxes, icecoolers or Eskis™ (hereafter ‘ice coolers’), are commonly used to holdand/or transport cold beverages or food which are required to be kept ina cool condition for a prolonged period of time. They are particularlyuseful and popular for outdoor activities or gatherings such as picnicsand barbeques.

During the course of the above outdoor activities or gatherings,children and others often play sports games involving a number of items.Carrying and transporting these items individually is generallyrecognised to be a cumbersome and burdensome exercise.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface of acontainer which may overcome the above inconvenience or which will atleast provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted that although a surface of the present invention isadapted to be provided on an ice cooler with insulation capability, itmay also be adapted to be provided on other types of containers orcarriers.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided anouter surface of a container having a lid and a receptacle, the surfaceincluding one or more substantially non-deformable recesses adapted toaccommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cookingor barbeque equipment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda container having a lid and a receptacle, the container having an outersurface including one or more substantially non-deformable recessesadapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items ofsporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.

Preferably, the surface includes an outer part of the lid.Alternatively, the surface includes an outer part of a first externalwall of the receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment, each recess is adapted to receive at least aportion of one of the items. The received portion of each item ispreferred to constitute substantially 60% to 70% of the overall volumeof the item. It is preferred that each recess is adapted to conform tothe shape of the received portion of the item. Preferably, each recessis associated with a cavity for facilitating retrieval of the item fromthe recess.

Preferably, one or more of the recesses include one or more lugs adaptedto secure the items within the recesses, respectively. More preferably,each lug is made of a resilient material which facilitates retention ofthe items in the respective recesses.

In one preferred embodiment, the sporting equipment is for a game ofcricket, in which case the items include one or more of the following: acricket ball, three stumps, a bail, and a cricket bat. In anotherembodiment, the sporting equipment is for a game of baseball, in whichcase the items include one or more of the following: markers for first,second, third and home bases, a baseball and a baseball bat. In yetanother embodiment, the sporting equipment is for a game of tennis, inwhich case the items include one or more of the following: a tennis balland two racquets. The items may include other parts, components orequipment for other sports games and additional objects or playthingssuch as a flying disc.

The cooking or barbeque equipment may include cooking or barbecueutensils. The utensils may include one or more of the following: a pairof tongs, a food turner or flipper, a spatula, a basting brush and anice-cream scoop.

Preferably, the lid is removably mounted to the receptacle.Alternatively, the lid is pivotally hinged to the receptacle.

The container may include a collapsible seat at one end, the seat beingmovable between an operable position and a collapsed position. Whendisposed in the collapsed position, the seat may be folded to abut asecond wall of the receptacle. When disposed in the operable position,the seat may be disposed in a generally horizontal orientation andsupported by a strut movably connected to one or more extendable legs.The legs may be telescopically retractable. Preferably, the containerincludes another seat at an opposite end.

In a preferred embodiment, the container includes one or more wheels. Itis preferred that the container also includes a retractable handle. Thereceptacle may include a compartment for receiving the handle when it isin a retracted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limitingdescription of preferred embodiments, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention showing acontainer having a lid mounted on a receptacle, the lid having a surfacein accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the surface of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention,showing a lid mounted on a receptacle;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the lid of FIG. 4 showingcooking utensils received in recesses provided in the lid;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the inventionshowing a lid;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 6 showing baseballequipment received in recesses provided in the lid;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a yet further embodiment of theinvention, showing a lid; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 8 showing tennisequipment received in recesses provided in the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be noted that although an outer surface of the presentinvention is intended to be provided on an ice cooler, it may becustomised so as to be applicable to any other types of portablecontainers or carriers.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a container 12 has a lid 14 and a receptacle16. The lid has an upper surface 10 with substantially non-deformablerecesses 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 which are provided to accommodate variousitems. Each substantially non-deformable recess 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 isdesigned to be sufficient resilient to receive and hold an item ofsporting equipment. The upper surface 10 is an outer part of the lid 14which is detachable from the receptacle 16. It is however contemplatedthat the lid 14 may be pivotally hinged to the receptacle 16.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the recesses 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 are indifferent shapes and configurations. Each of the recesses 18, 20, 22, 24and 26 is configured to receive part of a portion of a piece of a set ofcricket equipment, namely three stumps 28, 30 and 32, a cricket ball 34and a bat 36.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the received portion of each of thepieces 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 constitutes substantially 60% to 70% of thevolume of the relevant piece. Also, each recess 18, 20, 22, 24 or 26 isconfigured to conform to the shape of the relevant received portion. Assuch, the pieces 28, 30, 32, 36 and 34 sit firmly within the respectiverecesses 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 without wobbling, which is particularlyadvantageous when the container 12 is in motion.

Additionally, as best shown in FIG. 2, each of the recesses 18, 20 and22 include six lugs 84 spaced about its upper edge (only some of lugs 84are labelled). The lugs 84 are made of a resilient material whichfacilitates placement of the stumps 28, 30 and 32 into the respectiverecesses 18, 20 and 22. The lugs 84 flex back into their originalposition after placement of the stumps 28, 30 and 32 thereby retainingand securing the stumps 28, 30 and 32 within the respective recesses 18,20 and 22.

Each of the recesses 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 is associated with a smallcavity 38, 40, 42, 44 or 46. Each cavity 38, 40, 42, 44 or 46 providesspace for insertion of a user's finger to retrieve the relevant piecefrom the associated recess 18, 20, 22, 24 or 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 12 shows two optionalcollapsible seats 48 and 50 located at front and rear ends,respectively. Each of the seats 48 and 50 is movable between an operableposition (refer to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) and a collapsed position (notshown). When disposed in the collapsed position, the seats 48 and 50 arefolded onto the respective front and rear walls 52 and 54 of thereceptacle 16 resulting in the undersides 56 and 58 of the seats 48 and50 abutting the front and rear walls 52 and 54, respectively. Whendisposed in the operable position, the seats 48 and 50 are generallyhorizontal. Each of the seats 48 and 50 is supported by a strut 60, 62.Each of the struts 60 and 62 is slidably connected to a pair ofextendable legs 66 and 70 (not visible), and 64 and 68, respectively.Each of the legs 64, 66, 68 or 70 is telescopically retractable suchthat when not in use, it can be received within a hollow (not visible)provided in the underside 56, 58 of the seat 48, 50. The struts 60 and62 may each possess a locking mechanism which securely binds the seats48 and 50 to the front and rear walls 52 and 54, respectively, so as toprevent the seats 48 and 50 from flapping when the container 12 is inmotion.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the container 12 has two front wheels 72and 74 which enable the container 12 to be easily pushed or dragged in adesired direction when the rear end of the container 12 is lifted offthe ground. Two legs 80 and 82 are provided towards the rear end of thereceptacle 16 to bring the rear end of the container 12 to the samelevel as the front end which is elevated by the wheels 72 and 74.

The container 12 also has a retractable handle 76 (FIGS. 1 and 2) whichmay be grasped by the user for moving the container 12 around. Thehandle 76 is retractable such that, when not in use, it can be pusheddown to be hidden in a compartment 78 (FIG. 2) provided in thereceptacle 16.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a container 12A is covered by anotherembodiment of a lid 14A having recesses 90 and 92. The recesses 90 and92 are designed to receive a pair of tongs 94 and a spatula 96,respectively. The recesses 90 and 92 are shaped such that the tongs 94and spatula 96 are received snugly.

It is contemplated that additional or replacement recesses of othershapes and/or forms may be provided in the lid to accommodate othercooking or barbecue equipment such a food turner or flipper, a bastingbrush and an ice-cream scoop.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a further embodiment of a lid 14B hasrecesses 96, 98, 100, 102, 104 and 106 configured to receive baseballgame equipment having markers 108, 110, 112 and 114 for first, second,third and home bases, a baseball 116 and a baseball bat 118,respectively. The recesses 96, 98, 100, 102, 104 and 106 are configuredsuch that they conform to the shape of the respective items such that asnug fit is achieved. This offers the advantage of preventing the itemsfrom wobbling within or accidentally falling out of the recesses withoutrequiring the assistance of fastening means such as straps or clips.

Turning to FIGS. 8 and 9, a yet further embodiment of a lid 14C hasrecesses 120, 122, 124 and 126 configured to receive tennis equipmentincluding racquets 128 and 130, a tennis ball 132 and a flying disc 134.Similar to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the recesses 120,122, 124 and 126 conform to the shape of the respective items so as toachieve a snug fit. The depth of the recesses 120, 122, 124 and 126 aredesigned such that the items do not easily fall out duringtransportation.

Although not shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, each of the recesses 96, 98, 100,102, 104 and 106 may include a small cavity like cavity 38, 40, 42, 44or 46 described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, to facilitateremoval of relevant items.

Now that preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in some detail, it will be apparent to a skilled person in theart that the surface of the present invention may offer at least thefollowing advantages:

-   1. it enables carrying and/or transporting of a number of items in a    convenient way;-   2. it is neat and aesthetically pleasing; and-   3. it minimises the likelihood of one or more items of a set of    equipment being inadvertently left behind in outings due to the    items and/or the receptacle and/or their receptacles being readily    visible.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention describedherein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than thosespecifically described. For instance, the surface may include an outerpart of a side wall of the receptacle. The side wall may be slanted orinclude some reinforcing means to firmly secure the items within therecesses. Also, additional recesses may be provided to accommodate abail and a spare stump. Furthermore, the items may include any otherparts or equipment for other sports games. All such variations andmodifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention the nature of which is to be determined from theforegoing description.

1. An outer surface of a container having a lid and a receptacle, thesurface including one or more substantially non-deformable recessesadapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items ofsporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.
 2. The outer surface of acontainer of claim 1, which forms an outer part of the lid.
 3. The outersurface of a container of claim 1, which includes an outer part of afirst wall of the receptacle.
 4. The outer surface of a container ofclaim 1, wherein each recess is adapted to receive at least a portion ofone of the items.
 5. The outer surface of a container of claim 1,wherein the received portion of each item constitutes substantially 60%to 70% of the overall volume of the item.
 6. The outer surface of acontainer of claim 4, wherein each recess is adapted to conform to theshape of the received portion of the item.
 7. The outer surface of acontainer of claim 1, wherein each recess is associated with a cavityfor facilitating retrieval of the item from the recess.
 8. The outersurface of a container of claim 1, wherein one or more of the recessesinclude one or more lugs adapted to secure the items within therecesses, respectively.
 9. The outer surface of a container of claim 8,wherein each lug is made of a resilient material which facilitatesretention of the items in the respective recesses.
 10. The outer surfaceof a container of claim 1, wherein when the sporting equipment is for agame of cricket, the items include one or more of the following: acricket ball, three stumps, a bail, and a cricket bat.
 11. The outersurface of a container of claim 1, wherein when the sporting equipmentis for a game of baseball, the items include one or more of thefollowing: markers for first, second, third and home bases, a baseballand a baseball bat.
 12. The outer surface of a container of claim 1,wherein when the sporting equipment is for a game of tennis, the itemsinclude one or more of the following: a tennis ball and two racquets.13. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe recesses is configured to receive a flying disc.
 14. The outersurface of a container of claim 1, wherein the cooking or barbequeequipment includes cooking or barbecue utensils.
 15. The outer surfaceof a container of claim 14, wherein the utensils include one or more ofthe following: a pair of tongs, a food turner or flipper, a spatula, abasting brush and an ice-cream scoop.
 16. The outer surface of acontainer of claim 1, wherein the lid is removably mounted to thereceptacle.
 17. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein thelid is pivotally hinged to the receptacle.
 18. The outer surface of acontainer of claim 1, wherein the container includes a collapsible seatat one end, the seat being movable between an operable position and acollapsed position.
 19. The outer surface of a container of claim 18,wherein when disposed in the collapsed position, the seat is foldable toabut a second wall of the receptacle.
 20. The outer surface of acontainer of claim 18, wherein when disposed in the operable position,the seat is disposable in a generally horizontal orientation andsupported by a strut movably connected to one or more extendable legs.21. The outer surface of a container of claim 20, wherein each leg istelescopically retractable.
 22. The outer surface of a container ofclaim 18, wherein the container includes another seat at an oppositeend.
 23. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein thecontainer includes one or more wheels.
 24. The outer surface of acontainer of claim 1, wherein the container also includes a retractablehandle.
 25. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein thereceptacle includes a compartment for receiving the handle when it is ina retracted position.
 26. A container with a lid and a receptacle, thelid or receptacle having an outer surface including one or moresubstantially non-deformable recesses adapted to accommodate at least aportion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.27-28. (canceled)